Skip to main content

New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal

Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
New Orleans, USA
High interest
Booked 5+ times today.
  • 2 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· Donna_A ·
Jan 2026
Absolutely recommend!! We did the demonstration cooking so we saw our meal being prepared live. Fantastic storytelling, very fun vibes, and overall wonderful experience. Food was delicious! Rene made our whole evening and set the mood for the warm new Orleans experience. Bring cash for tips!
· Reita_G ·
Mar 2026
Great Demonstration and awesome food! Michael did an excellent job in telling interesting stories while explaining the wonderful recipes for Gumbo, Jambalaya, pralines and Bread pudding. Along with many cooking tips that we were not aware of. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and will be back on our next trip to New Orleans.

Overview

Get the full Louisiana dining experience during a fun and educational New Orleans cooking demonstration class. Take a seat amongst other foodies in a converted 19th-century molasses warehouse and get ready to learn and eat. Meet a lively local chef and learn the fundamentals of preparing classic Creole dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, and pralines. Then dig into delicious samples complemented by local beer or a sweet ice tea.
  • Get to know the basics of Louisiana cooking at the New Orleans School of Cooking
  • Learn how to make New Orleans specialties such as gumbo, jambalaya and pralines from expert chefs
  • Enjoy generous samplings of the dishes accompanied by complimentary beer, iced tea, and coffee
  • Take the recipes home with you

Sample Menu

Starter

Corn and Crab Bisque

Main

Gumbo

Main

Jambalaya

Main

Shrimp or Chicken Creole

Main

Crawfish Etoufee

Dessert

Bread Pudding

Dessert

Bananas Foster

Dessert

Pralines

Dessert

Pecan Pie

What's Included

  • New Orleans Cooking Demonstration Class with a Fun & Knowledgable Chef
  • Full Meal with a Generous Sampling of All Items Prepared
  • Coffee, Iced Tea, Water and One Local Beer
  • Copy of Class Recipes
  • Receive a Diploma by Submitting Photos from Cooking Recipes at Home
  • Gratuities (15-20% recommended)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • New Orleans School of Cooking
    524 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

    524 St. Louis St. New Orleans, LA 70130

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Give your trip to New Orleans a culinary edge with a lively cooking demonstration class featuring some delectable Creole classics! Head to the New Orleans School of Cooking and get to know an expert local chef. Hear the history of Louisiana’s soulful cuisine, including the melting pot of cultural influence that distinguishes Cajun and Creole dishes. 

Watch as your guest chef prepares famous dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish etouffée, learn traditional techniques—such as the importance of a good roux—and the variety of unique spices that give classic Louisiana fare its distinctive flavor. Enjoy local anecdotes, storytelling, and interesting facts from your chef—and if you want to know the (slight) difference between Cajun and Creole food, just ask!

After each live cooking demonstration, indulge in hearty samples paired with tasty local beer, iced tea or coffee. Leave with a better understanding of food and some recipes to take home and perfect on your own!

Menu items may include any of the following: gumbo, jambalaya, corn and crab bisque, shrimp or chicken creole, shrimp and artichoke soup, crawfish etoufee, bread pudding, bananas foster, pralines, and pecan pie.
1

New Orleans School of Cooking

2

French Quarter

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Please note: This is a demonstration class only; there is no hands-on training
  • Near public transportation
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
  • Dietary Restrictions: We can accomodate dietary restrictions. Please call our reservations line after booking. For a $5 up charge payable at check-in, you will receive our gumbo z'herbes (soup) and creole z'herbes (entree) as substituions, which are vegan, gluten-free and nut-free. Please note these meals are not demonstrated, but are discussed and you will receive a copy of them. Due to the nature of the class, we cannot make substituions to the recipes that are being prepared during the demonstration; based on your dietary restrictions maybe you can have the soup, but not the entree, you are welcome to do so. We ask that you inform the stewards upon check-in.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 68 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Alexander_M
We had an absolute blast at the cooking class with Chef Cindy. We learned how to make a delicious artichoke stew, crawfish étouffée, bread pudding, and pralines. She was very engaging, answered all the questions, told a great history of New Orleans, and cracked some hilarious jokes. I'd highly recommend this activity in town.

Reviews

4.9
based on 3,064 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

A must try when visiting New Orleans!!

Martinique_M, Apr 2026
We were on a birthday vacation for my husband's 50th both of us like to dabble in the kitchen so I said why not. It was definitely more than expected. Chef Cindy gave us historical lessons while showing us how to prepare some of New Orleans well known cuisines. The food and atmosphere was incredible. We will definitely return for another great experience.

Fun with Family

L_W, Apr 2026
This was a fun and informative class. The atmosphere was casual and open. The instructor was open and engaging, providing excellent informative details tied to the cooking demo details. A fun way to spend the afternoon..

We had an absolute blast...

Alexander_M, Apr 2026
We had an absolute blast at the cooking class with Chef Cindy. We learned how to make a delicious artichoke stew, crawfish étouffée, bread pudding, and pralines. She was very engaging, answered all the questions, told a great history of New Orleans, and cracked some hilarious jokes. I'd highly recommend this activity in town.

Lynn was fun and...

Melody_D, Apr 2026
Lynn was fun and informative. A lot of food was served. I am already looking forward to going home and trying some of these recipes.

Wonderful experience and...

Cynthia_C, Apr 2026
Wonderful experience and I learned some interesting history facts. Food was amazing and plentiful. Atmosphere was small and cozy.

Doing this again

Yaffa_V, Apr 2026
Thank you Chef Eric! Your Chicken Creole was amazing and I can't wait to make it again at home for my family. Can't wait to visit the New Orleans Cooking School again.

Good gumbo and jambalaya are not complicated..

Anthony_S, Mar 2026
We had Austin as our chef as we opted for the cooking class demonstration with gumbo, jambalaya and praline. He was excellent gave us advice on what roux goes with what dish. The food he cooked for us was excellent and the portions were very substantial.. All in our group really enjoyed our time there.

fun and yummy

Melissa_P, Mar 2026
this experience was really terrific. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it gave a lot of history along with delicious food. We really enjoyed this and we are hoping to make some of the recipe recipes in the near future.

The food was very bland,...

lianna_o, Mar 2026
The food was very bland, his suggestions for cooking were ill informed and the instructor had no idea about the recipe that was given to the class.

Yum!

Kelli_C, Mar 2026
It was fun and the food was delicious!!!! Worth the money. Harriett was like cooking with your grandma. Loved her stories.

Harriet is hilarious and...

Sandra_B, Mar 2026
Harriet is hilarious and knows her stuff!! The food was wonderful, especially the crab and corn bisque. Make sure you make your reservations early because you are seated in the order in which you made them.

Fun

Terry_H, Mar 2026
Harriet is the best!! First saw her in 2017. She hasn't changed. Food was delicious. Room was a tad crowded.

Don't Hesitate - Sign up for this!

Susan_C, Mar 2026
Whether you cook or not - it's an amazing experience and probably the best meal I ate in New Orleans!

Michael was an...

Jonathan_J, Mar 2026
Michael was an outstanding cook and historian. Michael was excellent at engaging everyone with the historical context of southern Louisiana cuisine. The food was great too.

One of our top favorite activities

Brenda_C, Mar 2026
It was so much fun and the food was delicious. The chef incorporates the history with the steps of the recipe and does it it a humorous way. One of our highlights in NOLA.

Great class!

Charla_D, Mar 2026
Be sure you are plenty hungry when you arrive at this cooking class. The food is so good, you’ll want to have room! The chef is very experienced and knowledgeable. You’ll have a great time!

Great New Orleans experience

Lara_B, Mar 2026
Great experience with entertaining and knowledgeable chef! We had such a good time learning to make three classic New Orleans dishes and enjoying them when they were ready. We learned and were entertained!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Lara, We appreciate your comment! Thank you for coming!

What a fun class -

TAMARA_F, Mar 2026
This class was so informational and fun at the same time. What a great time we had. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys cooking thanks for the memories New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

So glad you were able to make some good memories. Thank you for coming.

Cooking in New Orleans

Elaine_L, Mar 2026
Great Chef! The demonstration was excellent and the food was delicious. Authentic recipes with easy instructions.

Fun, educational, and...

Margaret_U, Mar 2026
Fun, educational, and great tasting food. Good experience whether solo or with a group. Would do again.

Come Hungry and learn

Roger_D, Mar 2026
Really a fun learning experience. Our instructor was Harriet who gave us a funny, heartwarming learning experience. A must stop for those interested in Creole/Cajun food and history.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Come hungry is right! Thank you Roger!

Anniversary Trip

Trimika_W, Mar 2026
Amazing experience and Chef Harriet was so great. The stories were and food was superb. Me and my husband were here for our 27th Anniversary and this was the cherry on top.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Aww, we love your kind words! Come back and see us!

Good class. Learned a lot.

Vicki_H, Mar 2026
The class was great and the food was good. We had to sit in the back and could not hear very well. People around us kept talking. The instructor needed a good microphone. It would have helped the experience so much.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Vicki, Thank you for the feedback. We will certainly pass this along to our chefs. We have microphones available for their use!

#1 activity to do in NOLA

Rodney_S, Mar 2026
Best thing to do in New Orleans! Entertaining, informational and delicious! You will be empowered to create your own culinary masterpieces upon returning home with the tools and skills you'll receive

A great time. Don't miss it

Ellen_M, Mar 2026
It was wonderful. The chef was funny, informative and kept the whole crowd laughing and learning. My sister and I really loved it. We had jambalaya, gumbo, bananas foster and pralines.

Great presentation! Michael was funny, informative and an amazing chef!!

Karen_R, Mar 2026
It was a wonderful experience!! Not one regret on choosing this experience!! The food was delicious!!

Highly recommended!

Hannah_T, Mar 2026
Highly recommended! We had such a great morning learning how to cook corn and crab bisque, shrimp creole, bananas foster and pralines. Cooking was shown to us by Lynne and she was excellent! We got to try all the food cooked and there were plenty of drinks too. Definitely book onto a cooking class if you visit to New Orleans.

This was really fun! The...

Keith_S, Mar 2026
This was really fun! The chef was really a lot of fun & informative. I also enjoyed shopping in the store.

Great Demonstration and Awesome Food!

Reita_G, Mar 2026
Great Demonstration and awesome food! Michael did an excellent job in telling interesting stories while explaining the wonderful recipes for Gumbo, Jambalaya, pralines and Bread pudding. Along with many cooking tips that we were not aware of. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and will be back on our next trip to New Orleans.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you Reita! We are so glad you enjoyed it.

Late lunch with Chef Eric

Jim_C, Mar 2026
The cooking experience was Chef Eric was not only good but very entertaining at the same time. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a unique cooking experience.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Jim, Thank you for coming to take a class with Chef Eric! We hope you come back and visit us again! Elizabeth

From $43.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 25 days in advance.

Compare Similar Experiences

1 / 3
Current
New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal


2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$43.00
New Orleans Small-Group Food Walking Tour and Cooking Class


5 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$117.00
Haunted French Quarter Original Cocktail Tour


2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$44.00
$30.80
Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party with Free Shot


2 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$19.00